A plain Thank You seems so inadequate for the outpouring of friends and family that attended our 2nd Annual Chopper 2002 Foundations Chris Amoroso Invitational Softball Tournament on June 2nd. The heartwarming response shows that there are still many people who are or were from North Bergen that still care and find the time to remember a true hero!

Christopher Amoroso was a Port Authority Police Officer who was killed saving lives in the devastating attack of September 11, 2001. Chris was a fun loving bear of boy who grew up in North Bergen, and went to North Bergen High School. In memory of Chris many of his friends and family for the past eleven years have played or attended a softball tournament in his memory. The proceeds go toward The Chris Amoroso Athletic Award; this year it was presented to a North Bergen High School senior, Kayla Muniz who is involved in the same athletic areas that Chris loved so much along with Hi-Tech student Dana Bartulovich who was this years first recipient of the “Chopper” 2002 award. Our 2nd annual softball tournament & family fun day went off without hitch. The weather threatened a bit but by the time we ready to go the sun made an appearance as if Chris was smiling down on us. The day was filled with music, bounce houses, snow-cones, Italian ices, caricaturists and so much more.

There are so many people to thank who helped make the day possible. First and foremost Mayor Nicholas Sacco and Commissioner Hugo Cabrera for allowing the event to take place at North Bergen’s sports and recreation complex at 64/67th street. Special thanks to John “Digger” O’Dell, North Bergen Parks & Recreation and DPW Department for always helping and being there when needed. Thank you to the remarkably generous businesses and vendors who provided food, beverages and donations: Chicken Delight, La Frieda Meats, LMC Security (Kearny), Cavalinos, Sparkys, Applebees(NB), Roses Deli, Don Quijote (Fairview), Marks Ice Cream, Cuginos Pizzeria, Ralph Cataffi & Kearny Recreation Dept., Dunkin Donuts (North Arlington), Maverick, National Steel Rule Company, Joe & Nancy Griglio, L4 Digital Photography, DJ’s Matt Lutte & Jeff Miller (Allentown PA), PBA 109, Cream-O-Land Dairies, Consolidated Dairies, P.A.P.D., Lorenzo’s Provision, Dantes’s Pizza (Ridgefield Park), NB Pop Warner Football, Bob Bender and Michael Chicarelli. Thanks also to Dr. Frank Bello, Jennifer Arnone/Fairfield Marriott, The Steven Strobert Foundation, Ken & Joann Coffin and Emil Fuda Jr for their generous donation and all the big-hearted families that helped make the day a huge success. Chris Witt, Eric Salgado and the ASA umpires who volunteered their time all day, North Bergen High School teacher Mr. Komar and his Key Club for volunteering and helping run the activities One individual who always is there when called upon, Tommy Maynard we thank you!

To all those individuals who shared in the success of the day our heartfelt and especially to the 10 softball teams who played their hearts out throughout the day Team Amoroso, NBFD, NBDPW, NB Wolves, Team Falco, Team Bourbon, P.A.P.D, Team Mosca and this years Champions Team Strobert from the bottom of our hearts - Thank you ! Please patron these companies, businesses and vendors because without them we could not be successful. We hope to see you all next year.